Marianna Hofer

(The following obituary for the late Marianna Hofer, who taught English at the University of Findlay, was published in The Courier on May 10, 2017):
Marianna L. Hofer shuffled off this mortal coil on May 3, 2017, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Marianna leaves behind her two beloved cats, Sofia and Aloysia, as well as many friends and colleagues. Marianna was preceded in death by her mother, Mary, and her father, Elmer, whom she admired and often credited to giving her her unique perspective on life.
Marianna taught writing at the University of Findlay for 32 years, and was dedicated to her classroom and her students. As one of her colleagues wrote, “She single-handedly helped hundreds of struggling students pass English 104… she worked diligently, passionately, ferociously to teach reticent writers to organize their thoughts and words, when the last thing they wanted to do was organize their thoughts and words.
Marianna’s life outside the classroom was lived for art. She loved being at her studio in the Jones Building, sharing space with other artists. She especially enjoyed the spring and fall Art Walk, where she could share her talents and promote local art and artists. Marianna was an avid photographer, preferring older cameras exclusively using black and white film. She had a keen eye and was a talented photographer, but her passion was poetry.
Marianna wrote in her journal every day. Her poems were published in literary journals across the country. Her first book of poetry, “A Memento Sent by the World,” was published in 2008. (She was so tickled to see it on Amazon!) Her second book, “The weight of the Minolta in Her Hand,” will be released later this year.
Marianna’s love of art and its creators led her to leave a legacy at the Community Foundation. There will be an endowment in her name in support of the arts and artists in Findlay, a town she profoundly loved. Please make all memorials to the Community Foundation, in her name.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be a gathering of friends in honor of Marianna on Saturday, May 13 from 3-6 p.m. at the Main Street Deli.

Joy Brown

Joy is the University of Findlay's media relations coordinator, and newsroom editor and contributor. She has worked at UF since 2014, and is enrolled in the University's Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing Program. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and history.

Marianna Hofer

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